Seven Valley sand and gravel companies, including Fisher Sand & Gravel, which was forced to shut down its south Phoenix asphalt plant, could be barred from bidding on federal projects or face fines because of dust-related violations found at their sites.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent violation notices to each company in July after conducting several inspections at sand and gravel plants and has offered to talk about the violations before determining penalties.

Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. officials battled criticism from city officials and residents this week and argued that the company’s south Phoenix asphalt plant operates in an environmentally responsible manner.

“I have heard people say that there are noxious fumes coming from this plant,” said Darrick Manezes, Fisher’s environmental manager. “That is simply not true.”

The smell may be strong at times, but it’s not harmful, he said.

Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. is part of Fisher Industries, a Dickinson, N.D.-based firm that operates in 10 states and has been awarded $45 million in state roadwork contracts in the past year.

The firm’s asphalt plant, 3828 S. 28th St., has come under fire from south Phoenix residents and city officials.

Residents complain the plant produces smoke, dust and a hot rubber odor. A Phoenix Municipal Court judge ruled that Fisher never obtained a proper Phoenix permit to build the plant. Fisher has appealed.

Fisher also faces possible fines from environmental regulators for violations at the plant and at mining sites around the state.

Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. has been hit with a blizzard of environmental violations and other citations from state and local agencies, but several officials say that it would be difficult to shut the business down.